A novel Co(OH)2/Cu2O nanocomposite-activated peroxydisulfate for the enhanced degradation of tetracycline

Abstract

The developed peroxydisulfate (PDS) activation for removing pollutants is a significant technology. Here, a Co(OH)₂/Cu₂O composite was synthesized and used to activate PDS for tetracycline (TC) degradation. Covering the surface of Cu₂O with Co(OH)₂ could improve the stability of the material, reactive active sites, and electron transfer efficiency of the catalyst. Thus, Co(OH)₂/Cu₂O composite exhibited excellent performance in terms of degrading the TC pollutant, and in the Co(OH)₂/Cu₂O/PDS system, the removal rate of TC could reach 98% within 30 min. Moreover, the effect of pH value, PDS dosage, and TC concentration on the degradation efficiency of TC was systematically studied. According to free radical quenching experiments, the possible mechanism of TC degradation over the Co(OH)₂/Cu₂O/PDS system was proposed. This work provided a research basis for the use of metal oxides for PDS activation in environmental treatment.